KL Report
SRINAGAR
The Punjab based consignee in multi-crore drugs seizure that halted Cross LoC trade last month is still at large. However, the police investigations are on and the authorities have launched a nationwide manhunt for Punjabi drugs kingpin.
Reliable sources said that Jammu and Kashmir police is in touch with Punjab police that has already arrested an associate of the ultimate consignee of 114 Kgs of brown sugar that was seized by police at LoC in Uri–Baramulla on January 17.
“Our team that was led by an Sub Division Police Officer (SDPO) has returned from Punjab with some vital information about the Punjab based drug kingpin. However, the Punjab police has already arrested one of his associates who is said to be a businessman,” a top police officer said, on the condition of anonymity.
Former LoC Traders union president Tariq Ahmad Sheikh, who is already under arrest in Baramulla, has also disclosed some vital information related to the drugs seizure. However, the police has prima facie found no involvement of Chakoti driver Mohammad Shafiq Awan who was arrested on January 17 after police found huge drugs shipment concealed in an almond kernel cargo in his truck coming from Muzaffarabad.
Showkat Habib of Bandipore, the trader in whose name the shipment had come is already under arrest. However, Tariq and his associates have been found working as commission agents and the ultimate consignee has been found belonging to Punjab. Meanwhile, well placed authoritative sources told KNS that the police is likely to file charge sheet against the Pakistani driver in a Baramulla court within a few days. When contacted IGP Kashmir AG Mir said, “The investigations are on and a manhunt has already been launched for the Punjab based consignee. We are in touch with Punjab police and I hope there will be some breakthrough very soon.” (KNS)
